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by Michael Terrian

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” -John 15:12-13

What an awesome verse. Greater love has no one than to lay down our own personal needs for the needs of others. Again, this is not a suggestion, but a commandment from Jesus Himself. We are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give water to the thirsty. We are called to help the weak, the lonely, the hurting, and the abused. We are commanded to do all this while setting our own needs aside. We are commanded to sacrifice our own needs to the well-being of others. We do not have an option. We do not have a choice.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” -Ephesians 5:1-2

Our love for others should be the same as this. This kind of love goes beyond self-satisfaction. This love puts the needs of other in front of our own needs.

A perfect human example of this is our military men and women. What an amazing and incredible sacrifice to our country and the men and women that live in it. This goes way beyond the needs of self-satisfaction. This is a pure example of sacrificial love for a country and the freedom and liberties that lie within it. What an honor and privilege to be an American, to see the sacrifice that was given and still is given today.

In a time where bullying is at an all-time high, we need to know that we are the first responders to any and all situations that involve helping those in need. When situations arise and our response as Christians is needed, then we respond quickly and confidently. If it’s someone who can’t defend themselves, we charge to the front line and stand for those who are weak. If it’s someone who is on the brink of suicide, with love and compassion we charge to aid them and rescue them. We set aside our own needs to help those in need. This is not an option but rather a commandment.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone will dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” -Romans 5:6-8

When we were in our weakness and helpless estate, Christ came to us and saved us. We could do nothing to save ourselves. We could do nothing on our own to change the outcome. Someone had to come to our rescue. Someone had to come to our aid and save us and Jesus Christ did that for us. He died on the cross and rose on the third day to save us.

Shouldn’t we as Christians be doing the same? Shouldn’t we be helping the weak and the helpless, those who can’t fight for themselves? If we are to be like Christ, then yes, we are called to action. We have an obligation as Christians to help those in need.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” -John 3:16-17 These verses point out that God “so” loved, which implies intense passion. God “so” loved demonstrates a great importance to a specific issue. God just didn’t love the world but He “so” loved the world.

God’s love was not static or self-centered. His love draws us in. His love allows “whosoever” to be saved and have everlasting life. This is the greatest example of divine love: setting aside self-satisfying needs for the needs of others.

Our job as Christians is not to condemn the world but to save the world. We can’t get caught up in all the wrong everyone is doing before we point them to Jesus, but rather point them to Jesus and let Him fix their lives. That’s what He’s in the business of doing.

We must “so” love those in need that our heart aches for them. We must love as though our response to them will determine which road they will choose. Our spirit and attitude must be love and compassion. As hard as it may be sometimes, it’s the right thing to do!

What will you do today to positively influence someone? It doesn’t cost anything to offer encouragement to someone. Maybe it’s a smile or a pat on the back. Remember, it’s not about how it will affect your life. It’s not about if it will result in a positive outcome for you. It’s not about what you will gain from helping someone. It is, however, about those you help. It’s about standing in the gap no matter what may happen. It’s about taking a stand for right and taking a stand against evil no matter the outcome.

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